Work on the project started on the 20th April 2010 and it wasn't long before the rear of the property looked like a building site. A large JCB was used to demolish the brickwork and work started on marking out the layout of the new gardens.
By April 26th, the original rear garden had been ripped apart and the old drive removed.
The image above shows the remnants of the old garden piled up ready for collection by the waste removal company. Three days later (29th April) the pond was dug out. The pond turned out to be much larger than I imagined it would be. By May 11th, the new patio was taking shape. On May 21st, the path to the stable block was completed and the base for the gazebo was laid.
A new concrete base in front of the stable was also laid. The raised beds and paths around them were finished by May 27th.
The gazebo has been moved to its new position on the other side of the stables. On June 2nd, the decking is completed and the sand lining for the pond has started to appear.
The gazebo can be seen in its new position near the stables. Only two days later and the liner is in place and the bank around the pond has been constructed. The trellises have already started to be erected by June 7th. The pond is now full. Top soil has been laid ready for the new lawn. By June 16th, work on the front garden is well under way. By the end of June, the base for the front drive has been laid, the car park is nearing completion and the base for the lawn is prepared. The lawns have been laid and the bubble pot installed. On July 2nd, the paddock is complete. Plants are stored in the paddock ready for planting.
Beyond the paddock, out of sight, the vegetable garden is filling nicely. By July 6th, the laurel hedge around the car park edge has been planted amd silver birch have appeared in the naturalised bank. On July 12th, the front lawn is laid and the borders planted. On the following day, the pond borders and the pond have been planted. The retaining wall either side of the decking is complete. By 14th July, the project is almost finished. The drive was laid a couple of days after and the remarkable transformation was complete.
